Non-stop Noble

MARK Noble seems more delighted than most now that the Hammers are back in the swing of pre-season training.

Despite the gruelling schedule, which has seen the West Ham United squad undergo rigorous fitness testing over the last two days, Mark is more than pleased to be back preparing for the Club's return to the Premier League.

And the 18-year-old Academy graduate can't wait to get going against some of the biggest clubs in the world.

"After Cardiff and all the celebrations I didn't want last season to end," he smiled. "I really just wanted to play on and keep the season going.

"I did go away for a couple of weeks and basically just chilled out and rested up. It was important, and I think all the boys needed a bit of a break after such a long season.

"I'm glad to be back now though and really I'm just looking forward to the start of the season now."

Mark could hardly have had a better start to the year. Just eight days into 2005 he made his first start for the Hammers against Norwich City in the FA Cup, and his performances went from strength to strength.

In all he made 21 senior appearances last season - not bad for a player who only turned 18 on the final day of the season.

Now the England youth star is hoping to make a similar impact on the Premier League in 2005/06.

"The first game against Blackburn can't come quickly enough really," he said. "The manager has brought in a few new faces and I think the squad is looking really strong.

"It means they'll be some added competition for places, but that's a really good thing for the Club and the tougher it is for the players to get a place in the side the better the team will be.

"Survival is obviously the first aim, but there's no reason why, with the squad we have that we can't do better than that.

"It's going to be really tough though and there's lots of hard work to be done."

That hard work has started in earnest for Mark and the rest of his squad members, but he's certainly enjoying the early stages of this season's preparation.

"We've done some testing over the last couple of days and that's gone pretty well," he explained. "On the first day of pre-season we even got the ball out and had some five-a-sides, which is really good for the first day back.

"So it's been pretty good and I'm sure it's going to get harder as the weeks go by. I'll miss a bit of it, including the tour to Sweden next week, because I'm going away with England.

"Obviously it's disappointing to be missing the build-up to the season with the lads, but it's another great honour for me to go away and play for England and I'll be looking forward to that.

"Hopefully, the training I do with England will help me to get ready for the new season anyway.

"At the moment though, it's just good to be back because it feels like the season is on it's way now."